Birds - Part III - The Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S Beagle

John Gould, Charles Darwin

Description

First published in 1842, this vintage book contains part three of Charles Darwin's “The Zoology of The Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle”, a fascinating and detailed account of the research he did whilst aboard the HMS Beagle between 1832 and 1836—work that played a key role in the conception of his scientific theories on evolution and natural selection. This part concentrates on the various birds that he encountered and studied around the world. Contents include: “Vulturidae”, “Cathartes Atratus”, “Cathartes Aura”, “Falconidae”, “Milvago, Spix”, “Milvago Pezoporos”, “Milvago Chimango”, “Milvago Leucurus”, “Milvagoi Albogularis”, etc. Charles Robert Darwin (1809 – 1882) was an English geologist, naturalist, and biologist most famous for his contributions to the science of evolution and his book “On the Origin of Species” (1859). Many vintage books such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially-commissioned new introduction on ornithology.

Sujets

• Zoologie
• Science
• Zoology
• Ornithology
• Sciences et techniques
• Life Sciences

Informations

• Publié par: Read Books Ltd.
• Date de parution: 16 octobre 2020
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781528768948
• Langue: English

Extrait

THE
ZOOLOGY
OF
THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. BEAGLE,
UNDER THE COMMAND OF CAPTAIN FITZROY, R.N.,
DURING THE YEARS
1832 TO 1836.
PUBLISHED WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE LORDS COMMISSIONERS OF HER MAJESTY S TREASURY .
Edited and Superiutended by
CHARLES DARWIN, ESQ. M.A. F.R.S. S EC . G.S.
NATURALIST TO THE EXPEDITION .

PART III.
BIRDS,
BY
JOHN GOULD, ESQ. F.L.S.
Copyright 2018 Read Books Ltd.
This book is copyright and may not be
reproduced or copied in any way without
the express permission of the publisher in writing
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from
the British Library
CONTENTS
Ornithology
CORRIGENDA.
LIST OF PLATES.
ADVERTISEMENT.
FAMILY-VULTURID .
FAMILY-FALCONID .
FAMILY.-STRIGID .
FAMILY.-CAPRIMULGID .
FAMILY.-HIRUNDINID .
FAMILY.-HALCYONID .
FAMILY.-MUSCICAPID . Vieill .
FAMILY.-LANIAD .
FAMILY.-TURDID .
FAMILY.-SYLVIAD .
FAMILY.-FRINGILLID .
FAMILY.-TROCHILID .
APPENDIX.
INDEX TO THE SPECIES.
Ornithology
Ornithology is a branch of zoology that concerns the study of birds. Etymologically, the word ornithology derives from the ancient Greek ornis (bird) and logos (rationale or explanation). The science of ornithology has a long history and studies on birds have helped develop several key concepts in evolution, behaviour and ecology such as the definition of species, the process of speciation, instinct, learning, ecological niches and conservation. Whilst early ornithology was principally concerned with descriptions and distributions of species, ornithologists today seek answers to very specific questions, often using birds as models to test hypotheses or predictions based on theories. However, most modern biological theories apply across taxonomic groups, and consequently, the number of professional scientists who identify themselves as ornithologists has declined. That this specific science has become part of the biological mainstream though, is in itself a testament to the field s importance.
Humans observed birds from the earliest times, and Stone Age drawings are among the oldest indications of an interest in birds, primarily due to their importance as a food source. One of the first key texts on ornithology was Aristotle s Historia Animalium (350 BC), in which he noted the habit of bird migration, moulting, egg laying and life span. He also propagated several, unfortunately false myths, such as the idea that swallows hibernated in winter. This idea became so well established, that even as late as 1878, Elliott Coues (an American surgeon, historian and ornithologist) could list as many as 182 contemporary publications dealing with the hibernation of swallows. In the Seventeenth century, Francis Willughby (1635-1672) and John Ray (1627-1705) came up with the first major system of bird classification that was based on function and morphology rather than on form or behaviour, this was a major breakthrough in terms of scientific thought, and Willughby s Ornithologiae libri tres (1676), completed by John Ray is often thought to mark the beginning of methodical ornithology. It was not until the Victorian era though, with the emergence of the gun and the concept of natural history, that ornithology emerged as a specialized science. This specialization led to the formation in Britain of the British Ornithologists Union in 1858, and the following year, its journal The Ibis was founded.
This sudden spurt in ornithology was also due in part to colonialism. The bird collectors of the Victorian era observed the variations in bird forms and habits across geographic regions, noting local specialization and variation in widespread species. The collections of museums and private collectors grew with contributions from various parts of the world. This spread of the science meant that many amateurs became interested in bird watching - with real possibilities to contribute knowledge. As early as 1916, Julian Huxley wrote a two part article in the Auk , noting the tensions between amateurs and professionals and suggesting that the vast army of bird-lovers and bird-watchers could begin providing the data scientists needed to address the fundamental problems of biology. Organizations were started in many countries and these grew rapidly in membership, most notable among them being the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), founded in 1889 in Britain and the Audubon Society, founded in 1885 in the US.
Today, the science of ornithology is thriving, with many practical and economic applications such as the management of birds in food production (grainivorous birds, such as the Red billed Quelea are a major agricultural pest in parts of Africa), and the study of birds, as carriers of human diseases, such as Japanese Encephalitis, West Nile Virus, and H5N1. Of course, many species of birds have been driven to (or near) extinction by human activities, and hence ornithology has played an important part in conservation, utilising many location specific approaches. Critically endangered species such as the California Condor have been captured and bred in captivity, and it is hoped that many more birds can be saved in a like manner.
CORRIGENDA.

I am indebted to Mr. G. R. Gray for the following remarks and corrections:-
Page 13 , to Milvago ocrocephalus, Spix . add Polyborus ocrocephalus, Jard . Selby s Ill . t. 5.
Alter 7, 8, 9, 10, to 5, 6, 7, 8.
Page 15 , Milvago leucurus, add
Falco Australis, Jard. Selby s Ill. Orn . n. s. pl. 24.
Page 49 , Serpophaga, Gould , is probably synonymous with Euscarthmus, Pr. Max .
Page 56 , Agriornis, Gould , is synonymous with Dasycephala of Swainson, and Tamnolanius, of Lesson; the species therefore should be
sp. 1. D. lividus, G. R. Gray .
Thamnophilus lividus, Kittl. Voy.de Chili , pl.l.
Tyrannus gutturalis, Eyd . Gerv . c .
sp. 2. D. striata, G. R. Gray .
Agr. striatus, Gould .
Agr. micropterus, juv. Gould , sp. 3.
Page 57 , sp. 4. D. maritima, G. R. Gray .
Agr. maritimus, G. R. Gray , c.
Page 66 . The generic appellation of Opetiorhynchus, was adopted after the subjection of Mr. Gould; since its publication, however, I have considered that it might cause confusion with Furnarius, of Vieillot, as it is Temminck s name for the identical same division, therefore only a synonym, and am on that ground induced to change and propose the name of Cinclodes, which has been adopted by a Continental writer. The species should be altered thus:-
Page 66 , Sp. 1. Cinclodes vulgaris, G. R. Gray .
Page 67 , sp. 2. C. Patagonicus, G. R. Gray, List of the Genera of Birds .
sp. 3. C. antarcticus, G. R. Gray .
Cinclodes fuliginosus, Less .
Page 68 , sp. 4. C. nigrofumosus, G. R. Gray .
Page 69 , Eremobius, being previously employed, it is changed to Enicornis, G. R. Gray . The species to
En. ph nicurus, G. R. Gray, List of the Genera of Birds .
Page 70 , Rhinomya, being also previously employed; it is therefore changed to Rhinocrypta, G. R. Gray .
The species to
R. lanceolata, G. R. Gray .
Page 76 , for Synallaxis major, Gould , read Anumbius acuticaudatus, G. R. Gray .
Furnarius annumbi, Vieill .
L Anumbi, Azara , No. 222.
Anthus acuticaudatus, Less .
Anumbius anthoides, D Orb . Lefr .
Page 94 , Fringilla fruticeti, Kittl . gives place to Fringilla erythrorhyncha, Less. Voy. Thetis . Ii. p. 324.
LIST OF PLATES.

Plate I.
Milvago albogularis.
II.
Craxirex Galapagoensis.
III.
Otus Galapagoensis.
IV.
Strix punctatissima.
V.
Progne modestus.
VI.
Pyrocephalus parvirostris.
VII.
nanus.
VIII.
Tyrannula magnirostris.
IX.
Lichenops erythropterus.
X.
Fluvicola Azar .
XI.
Xolmis variegata, in place of T nioptera variegata.
XII.
Agriornis micropterus.
XIII.
leucurus.
XIV.
Pachyramphus albescens.
XV.
minimus.
XVI.
Mimus trifasciatus.
XVII.
melanotis.
XVIII.
parvulus.
XIX.
Uppucertbia dumetoria, in place of Upercerthia dumetaria.
XX.
Opetiorhynchus nigrofumosus, in place of Opetiorhynchus lanccolatus.
XXI.
Eremobius ph nicurus.
XXII.
Anumbius acuticaudatus, in place of Synallaxis major.
XXIII.
Synallaxis rufogularis.
XXIV.
flavogularis.
Plate XXV.
Limnornis curvirostris.
XXVI.
rectirostris.
XXVII.
Dendrodamus leucostemus
XXVIII.
Sylvicola aureola.
XXIX.
Ammodramus longicaudatus.
XXX.
Ammodramus Manimb , in place of Ammodramus xanthornus.
XXXI.
Passer Jagoensis.
XXXII.
Chlorospiza melanodera.
XXXIII.
xanthogramma.
XXXIV.
Aglaia striata, in place of Tanagra Darwinii.
XXXV.
Pipilo personata.
XXXVI.
Geospiza magnirostris.
XXXVII.
strenua.
XXXVIII.
fortis.
XXXIX.
parvula.
XL.
Camarhynchus psittaculus.
XLI.
erassirostris.
XLII.
Cactornis scandens.
XLIII.
assimilis.
XLIV.
Certhidea olivacea.
XLV.
Xanthornus flaviceps.
XLVI.
Zenaida Galapagoensis.
XLVII.
Rhea Darwinii.
XLVIII.
Zapornia notata.
XLIX.
spilonota.
L.
Anser melanopterus.
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